Local authorities must be recognised as equal partners alongside the NHS if England's digital health and social care transformation is to succeed, according to a new report from the Local Government Association (LGA) and consultancy PPL.
The report argues that councils play a critical role in delivering integrated, person-centred health and care services and warns that digital reform risks falling short unless local government is given greater influence, investment and recognition within the Government's 10-Year Health Plan.
Councils Key to Joined-Up Digital Services
The report highlights how councils are already helping to deliver technology-enabled care, care coordination and preventative interventions that reduce pressure on NHS services. However, it warns that local authorities frequently carry the financial burden of digital integration while many of the resulting benefits, such as reduced hospital admissions and lower healthcare demand, are realised elsewhere across the wider health system.
According to the LGA, this imbalance is slowing the pace of digital transformation, particularly at a time when many councils continue to face significant financial pressures.
The report stresses that digital and data integration should not be viewed purely as a technology programme. Instead, it says successful reform must be embedded within broader service redesign and neighbourhood-based health models focused on prevention and community care.
Data Sharing Remains a Major Obstacle
One of the most significant barriers identified is the continued lack of effective data sharing and interoperability across health and social care organisations.
The report warns that fragmented approaches to digital transformation are limiting progress and that a stronger focus on outcomes for people, rather than technology itself, is needed.
In particular, the authors call for shared national standards across adult social care and home care markets to improve information flows and prevent the isolated digitisation of individual providers.
Tackling Digital Exclusion
The LGA also emphasises the vital role councils play in addressing digital exclusion within local communities.
As more health and care services move online, local authorities are often best placed to ensure residents can access support in ways that meet their needs. The report argues that accessibility, inclusion and public trust must become central considerations in future digital health programmes rather than being treated as secondary priorities.
Six Calls to Government
The LGA is urging the Government to take six key actions:
- Make neighbourhood health the guiding principle behind digital and data integration.
- Establish national standards for data sharing, interoperability and data ownership.
- Recognise councils and social care as equal partners in digital reform.
- Publish clear guidance on the safe, proportionate and evidence-based use of artificial intelligence.
- Strengthen digital leadership, workforce capability and governance within local government.
- Recognise the role councils play in promoting digital inclusion and equitable access to services.
LGA: ‘Without Councils, Digital Health Reform Will Fail’
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the Local Government Association's Health and Wellbeing Committee, said:
"Digital and data integration in health and care can help deliver more joined up, preventative and responsive services for the people who draw on care and support, but only if local government is treated as an equal partner."
“If government wants neighbourhood health to succeed, local government must be positioned at the centre of digital reform rather than as a supporting actor to NHS digital reform. Without councils, digital health reform will fail.
“Councils often shoulder the costs of integration, but the benefits are felt elsewhere. With national standards, better data sharing and support for local service redesign, councils can help deliver the joined-up services people need.
"We're ready to work with government and NHS partners to ensure the aims of the 10-year Health Plan and Health Bill are realised.”
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